Commercial.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2191, 27 April 1870, Page 2

Commercial.

DOTHOT— The "Daily Times," of April 25, reports :—The general markets have during the put week shown a shade more life; still, trade ii dull for the season of the year, and the absence of a materially improved demand is only to be accounted for by the fact of storekeepers speculating upon the roads remaining good to an unusually late period, and the occurrence of an unusually slack time among traders on the coast. In town trade, we note sales as having been rather heavier among import houses during the last few days, and for one or two of the staples enquiry has been made since the delivery o the mail It cannot be reported that quotation* hate been affected in any important respect by ad rices to hand; but some little changes in values may occur during the coming week. In sugars a steady trade if reported at fairly maintained prices; but no heavy sales have occurred, except the placing at auction of the damaged portion of the Zingari's cargo, which brought good rates. Test have been moved to a moderate extent — j good descriptions only; values looking rather i better for all the fine sorts, and the prospect of the market being encouraging. Most of the liquids remain very dull, the transactions taking place being only for current wants. Hennessey's brandy moves at our last reported rates; and good parcels of bottled been, both ale and

stout, aro quitted at welleustained rates. Corneacks continue quiet for the season of tho year; the parcels moving have been generally limited to a few bales, realising our late reported value. Building materials havo been rather more active ; several lots of timber and galvanised iron placmi during the week *how unaltered rates. There are, however, considerable stocks of these items in flret hands, and shipments are not decreasing in extent. Keroeene is firm at 3a ; candles have been more in enquiry, but no operations of any moment reported. The grain market possesses more animation, but prices remain stationary, and there is no sign of an outside enquiry to relieve the monotony of local trade. Buyers would, no doubt, operate more heavily at a small concession on market rates, but there to be no disposition to give way to a sufficient extent to simulate speculation. The demand for flour is light, quotations made at the mills at £10 10e to £11. The millers are not looking for wheat except in email lots ; the last quotations, viz., 4s to 4s 3d, for good grinding parcels, are barely maintained. For barley the demand continues moderate, and a better supply ooming forward ; the rates obtainable arefbarely those last given, viz., 3a lid to 4e 3d. Oats aro reaching town more freely ; 2s 3d to 2e 4d ie the current value, but except one or two trifling lots shipped, no export of this grain in going on.